I’ve noticed it has been awhile since my last “Behind the Scenes” post, so here’s a beautiful moment captured with my client’s camera during their first dance at Kennedy Manor Dining Room in Madison, WI. I’m sure many guests wonder “Why is the photographer over there or doing that?” or something along those lines (mainly as I’ve been seen crawling around the floor or climbing on furniture I probably shouldn’t have been on in the first place).

I strive to capture moments in a beautiful way for my clients. Here’s another perfect example…

What the guests saw:

See me way over on the left side? Here’s what I saw:

Thank you to Sasha & Carlos as they were so nice in sharing a few photos taken with their camera during the wedding day, which have me in them!

For Chad & Alex, it may not have been the easiest road for them to plan their wedding. From hiring a florist or finding a venue, even just being in their own relationship – it wasn’t easy. You see, Chad & Alex are gay. However, with the help & love of the people close to them, they were able to plan their wedding. Although the state of Minnesota does not legally recognize the marriage, their Jewish faith does.

And that was very important to them both.

Their wedding was the first same-sex commitment ceremony held inside of a Conservative Jewish synagogue in Minnesota. With the help of their Rabbi, who took all of the correct steps to have the ceremony approved by the Temple of Aaron synagogue, their dream of having their love recognized became a reality. It couldn’t have happened on a better date too, October 10th, 2010 – the same date as the 100 anniversary celebration of the synagogue.

A Jewish wedding is very symbolic and beautiful. For example, the ceremony takes place under a Chupah, a canopy on four poles. It symbolizes creating a home together which is always open to guests…

During the first weekend of October, I had the pleasure of shooting here in Winona, Minnesota at one of the most beautiful churches in town – Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels. My clients Vicki & Nick met while going to school at Winona State University and chose to come back to married here! As you can see, the Chapel is absolutely gorgeous…

My last wedding of September took place in Alma, Wisconsin. Everything seemed to fall into place for Jennifer & Chris considering it had rained and rained and rained some more earlier in the week, which caused lots of flooding in many nearby communities along the Mississippi River valley.

However, on this day, the bad weather held off and made for a perfect autumn day to have an outdoor wedding.

Jennifer spent the morning getting ready with a few of her relatives at the Tritsch House in Alma. A few images from there…

The signs of Autumn were apparent for July & Randy’s wedding in Hutchinson, Minnesota. The leaves were changing. There was a brisk breeze in the air. The downtown was buzzing from a local art & food festival. Meanwhile, at Peace Lutheran Church, there was the anticipation of a wedding…

As I arrived at the church, July had a room to herself and her bridesmaids. Bridesmaids getting hair done and makeup applied as July was getting ready to see Randy for the first time. Even the University of Minnesota garter matched the autumn theme…

Ashley & Jesse covered some distance before getting married. They came from Wyoming to have their wedding in Ashley’s hometown of Albert Lea, Minnesota. Jesse also served in the Iraq War while Ashley planned the wedding from long distance, so you know they have a strong bond of love.

Now on to some photos!

We started out with Ashley getting ready. She had a one-of-a-kind handmade wedding dress…